Did you know that April is National Volunteer Month? The month is dedicated to recognizing the importance of volunteering.
I’m a big believer in giving back and that includes giving back to the running community. I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to serve as a race director on a couple of occasions, and I can say without a doubt that there’s just no way to put on a great race without the support of people willing to volunteer their time and energy.
So for this week’s Fit Five Friday, I’m re-sharing five reasons to be a race volunteer (This post was published in August 2018 and has been updated.)
Fit Five Friday — Five Reasons to be a Race Volunteer
Give Back — The most obvious reason to be a race volunteer is it gives you a chance to give back to a sport that you love and to support the running community.
Stay Connected — If you’re sidelined with an injury or slowly working your way back from one, being a race volunteer is a great way to help you feel more connected to running and racing.
Make New Connections — You never know who you’ll end up working with when you volunteer for a race! Volunteering can give you the opportunity to connect with brands, running groups, and race directors…who knows where that might lead? Also, some races reward their volunteers with swag and discounted or free entries for future races.
Five Reasons to be a Race Volunteer #FitFiveFriday #Running #Runchat #RunningCommunity Click To TweetGain Some Perspective — Once you see all that goes into making a race day come together and the effort and enthusiasm of race volunteers, trust me you’ll have a whole new appreciation for those volunteers along the course the next time you’re racing.
Be Inspired — There’s inspiration all around when it comes to race day and being a race volunteer gives you a chance to experience that inspiration up close and personal. Spend a morning working at a race and I dare you to not come away fired up for your own training!
Volunteering at Boston 2017!
I’ll be back volunteering next weekend at the Boston Marathon (my 7th time!) and I cannot wait! Each time has been such a great experience. As more and more races return to being in person this year, I’ve noticed a lot of RDs putting out requests for race volunteers. I encourage every runner to get out and be a volunteer at least once at a race, large or small – you won’t regret it!
Have you ever volunteered at a race?
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i volunteered for a dc road runners race a couple of weekends ago and it was awesome. such fun and i loved helping out. your list is sooooo true! 🙂 have a great weekend, michelle!
Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC recently posted…Five Races to Run in 2015
I’m glad you had so much fun! Enjoy your weekend Courtney!
I’ve never volunteered for a race, but I worked for a non-profit that puts on a lot of events, including large scale racing events that I put in a lot of overtime with and helped manage volunteers. You’re right that it really makes you appreciate just how much planning and work goes into making these events happen successfully. It’s definitely something we shouldn’t take for granted.
Elizabeth recently posted…Friday Five: Five Races I’m Looking Forward To in 2015
I’m working with a non-profit too and we have two big race events coming up this summer – a ton of work but so worth it, right?
Nice take on the theme this week. I will be volunteering at a DCRR race in March and Cherry Blossom in April.
Jennifer recently posted…Friday Five – Races to Run in 2015
That’s great Jennifer! I hope both are great experiences for you 🙂
I’ve done a ton of volunteering the last year and it’s very interesting to be on the other side. You really get perspective how much work goes into planning and executing a race.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…5 Races on My Bucket List
It’s great that you got to volunteer so much. I’m hoping to do more this year.
I volunteered for the Princeton Half last Fall and it was a great experience! It was definitely nice to give back to the running community and it was also fun to cheer on the runners. It’s definitely inspiring because you see not only the fast runners but also back of the pack runners and they actually inspired me the most because they are working so hard and accomplishing their goal!
Sharon recently posted…Oreo Ice Cream Cake Recipe
I know what you mean – they’ve been out on the course a lot longer but don’t give up!
I’ve volunteered many times. The coolest was when I got to be at the start of the Chicago Marathon with the elites. I know some don’t care for this, but i like to volunteer when I’m injured.
Marcia recently posted…5 Loves and a Giveaway
That would be my dream volunteer assignment for the Boston Marathon!
I haven’t volunteered for a race – thanks for this! Since I am injured this is the perfect time to do it. Have a great weekend!!
Natalie recently posted…Friday Favorites!
Definitely a good time to volunteer! Hope you heal quickly!
I absolutely love volunteering at races, it’s so fun to see the other side and gain a new appreciation for volunteers where you are actually running it!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…Friday Five: 5 Reasons to Run Rock N Roll DC
I so agree! Have a great weekend Sue 🙂
I have volunteered in the past, but it’s been too long. I really do love volunteering so I need to get that on my calendar.
Coco (@Got2Run4Me) recently posted…My Solidcore Review
Looking forward to hearing where you decide to volunteer!
I am volunteering in April for the 1st time at an aid station with TeamRWB. I cannot wait! I took photos once at a race last year as well, but I was just doing my own thing. This feels like real volunteer work.
Amy @ Mama Running for God recently posted…5 Races to Run in 2015
Wow Amy that sounds great! Have fun!
Great tips Michelle! Volunteering is great and something every runner should do. I need to find a race to volunteer this year! I never thought to use it as a networking experience though – I would love to connect with brands!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…5 Great Philly Races for 2015
Thanks Janelle! Let me know which race you choose!
AGREED! Volunteering for races gives you a bit of a taste of how hard the race people work to put on a race, and it’s also REALLY exciting to cheer runners on and see all the different kinds of runners that come to races. 🙂
Emily recently posted…Some Days are just Hard.
You’re right you really do get to see a whole range of runners. Thanks for stopping by Emily!
100% agree with all of these reasons. Volunteering at the NYC Marathon convinced me to run it. Up until that point I had no desire to run a marathon, but something about that day totally changed me.
Kim G recently posted…5 Reasons To Try Fit And Flirty
I love that volunteering inspired you to run a marathon!
I always have so much fun volunteering! Volunteers really are essential to a smooth race and a good race experience. Good luck this weekend!
Thanks, Coco – it was a great event!
It is always interesting to be on the other side of things for a change! Certainly makes you appreciate all that goes into putting on a race
Deborah Brooks recently posted…5 Tips To Care For The Sweatiest Workout Clothes
It certainly does!
Our church sponsored a 5k for several years, and myself and several other “runner gals” took on the task of organizing all the details, as well as recruiting the volunteers for race day. WHEW. It was so much work, but so rewarding when all was said and done. I think every runner should volunteer at least in a lifetime, too….but we all know that most of us will return and gladly do it again 😉
That’s so great that you helped to organize the race! Isn’t it amazing all the little details that go into putting a race on?!
I haven’t volunteered at a race, but I have been on the sidelines cheering people on! It’s such a great feeling being on the other side!
It’s definitely nice to be on the other side of a race!
I have but not often enough. I know how important they are.
Volunteers really can make an event. I try to volunteer at least once a year.
I’ve volunteered for a triathlon and a zombie race–both were super fun! :]
Farrah recently posted…My Experience with Personal Trainer Food
OK I have to ask – what’s involved in a zombie race?!
It’s been a few years since I last volunteered at a race. Being on the other side of things is definitely interesting.
Marcia recently posted…Grilled Chicken Quesadillas
Yeah getting a peek behind the scenes of a race is certainly eye-opening!
I really enjoy volunteering at races! I think it’s a fun way to be part of the race environment and atmosphere without actually running. As a runner, I know how important volunteers are, so I’m happy to help out.
Great to hear that you enjoy volunteering!
I have been volunteering at trail races I want to run but didn’t feel prepared for this year – probably one of my best running decisions!
Nice! What a great way to be a part of those races!
I love volunteering at races! I def need to do it more!
It always inspires me to see so many amazing people out and running!
One year I was volunteering at the Houston marathon and cheering racers on by name thanks to their race bibs. A younger volunteer looked at me in awe and wondered how I knew everyone! I had to break his wonder and tell him the truth! Still make me giggle to this day!
That’s such a cute story 😉
I haven’t volunteered at a race but I think this is something I should really do to give back to the sport in some way! Can’t wait to hear about your experience volunteering at Boston this year – with things almost getting back to normal, I think it will be such a happy and exciting place to be!
I have volunteered and it’s important for all the reasons you’ve mentioned. Without volunteers there would be no races.
That’s awesome to volunteer at Boston. I’d love to do that.
I plan to at our local half in Oct. and will search out more opportunities.
I had no idea that you’ve been a RD! That is such a HUGE job — kudos!
All very valid reasons to volunteer. Yes, I have volunteered at races. It’s always rewarding to give back.
Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…5 Tips to Create Your Perfect Affirmation
YES to everything you highlighted! I really, like REALLY, appreciated all the big races I’d run after volunteering for a few smaller local ones. It feels good to give back to our sport, and it’s the right thing to do <3
Such a great post, Michelle. I ran a race last Sunday and I was thinking about how the volunteers were out there so early- I always thank as many as possible along the race. I haven’t volunteered in a LONG time. I didn’t know that April was National Volunteer Month- I better get on it!
I hope you have an amazing time at Boston.
Yes!! I volunteered once at the Amsterdam Marathon! It was actually tougher than I thought it would be! But so great to be there and help runners find where they needed to go to have a successful race in the end!
And as you know I not only volunteer for parkrun, I am also the event director! But I have volunteered at other parkruns as well which is so great. The running community is really huge, but at the same time so small when you get involved and help people out or facilitate a great event. People remember that, it’s part of their experience! I love it!
Have the BEST time in Boston!!
Renée recently posted…Fit Five Friday – 5 Reasons to Blog Again (and why it could be my last year to do so)
I did not remember it was volunteer month! I am slacking on my important dates.
I have volunteered at races (and for lots of other things) and it’s always so great to be a part of it all.
Volunteering is a great experience – once I did it, I came to have so much appreciation for what they do – they work for hours to make a great event for all of us!